If you’re looking at treatment options for certain mood or pain disorders, you may want to learn more about duloxetine.

Duloxetine is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat:

Duloxetine belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). The drug comes as a delayed-release capsule that you swallow. (“Delayed-release” means the drug is released slowly into your body over a period of time.)

Duloxetine is also available as the brand-name drugs Cymbalta and Drizalma Sprinkle.

Keep reading for details on duloxetine and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on duloxetine, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for duloxetine can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for duloxetine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover duloxetine. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss duloxetine in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If duloxetine requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether duloxetine requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Duloxetine and cost.

Does duloxetine’s price vary depending on which strength I take (20 mg, 30mg, 40 mg, or 60 mg)?

The price of duloxetine may vary slightly depending on the strength you’re prescribed.

To learn how much you’ll pay for duloxetine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

How much does duloxetine cost without insurance?

The price you’ll pay for duloxetine without insurance can vary depending on certain factors. These factors include your dosage, the pharmacy you use, and your treatment plan.

To find out how much you’d pay for duloxetine without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Duloxetine is a generic drug. This means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs.

Duloxetine also comes as the brand-name versions Cymbalta and Drizalma Sprinkle. To find out how the costs of Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle, and duloxetine compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed duloxetine and you’re interested in using Cymbalta or Drizalma Sprinkle instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take duloxetine long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of duloxetine if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of duloxetine. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for duloxetine. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of duloxetine or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of duloxetine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for duloxetine.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider include:

  • Is it possible to take two 20-mg capsules of duloxetine instead of one 40-mg capsule?
  • If my doctor changes my dose of duloxetine, can I bring my medication back for a refund?
  • Are there less expensive drugs that can treat my condition?

To learn more about duloxetine and Cymbalta (a brand-name version of duloxetine), see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.